2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI First Drive

Introduction

Volkswagen Jetta GLI – 2006 First Drive: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” - William Shakespeare

Winding along undulating back roads under a brilliantly blue New Mexico sky, we can’t help thinking that that Shakespeare guy hit the nail on the head when he penned the immortal phrase “What’s in a name?”

While old Bill used roses as an example, he might as well have been describing the all-new 2006 Volkswagen Jetta GLI. That’s because VW’s marketing types are intent on changing this sporty top-of-the-line Jetta model’s name, referring to it simply as the “2006 Volkswagen GLI” in order to make us think of this affordable sports sedan as a stand-alone model similar to their Golf-based GTI sports coupe.

Ultimately, we can’t help but think that this decision to drop the J-word is largely immaterial. Because, no matter what name they choose to use, this compact four-door is one sweet little set of wheels.

Model Mix

While the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta is a fifth-generation model, this is only the fourth incarnation of the sporty GLI. Like the rest of the Jetta line-up, it’s grown an inch in height and width and six inches in length, and rides on a wheelbase that’s been stretched by two inches. Most of the additional three cubic feet of interior room created by this growth spurt went to the back seat, making this the most four passenger-friendly Jetta yet.

As the performance-oriented model of the Jetta line-up, the new GLI jettisons the previous generation’s V6 in favor of a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Two excellent transmissions, beefed-up suspension bits, 17-inch wheels, xenon headlights, and several important interior tweaks round out the upgrades.

The result is a total package that transforms what might in its other variations might be considered a very nice “economy” sedan into an engaging vehicle that can put a smile on the face of anyone for whom driving a car is a pursuit to be actively enjoyed rather than passively tolerated.